Hey there again! I'm here with the second chapter ;) I hope you liked the first one... hihi... Ahem... I would like to thank everyone who read, faved, followed and of course reviewed my story.

nakigaoyuu: Of course I'll continue the story. It won't be long, only 4 chapters total, but I hope that you will continue reading and reviewing :)

Scarlotte O'Hara: Thank you (for everything)! *hugs*

Chapter 2 – Cherry Blossoms

Sen-hime's P.O.V.

"Chizuru-chan!" I called happily, waving my hand, while in the crowded streets of Edo.

"OSen-chan!" she exclaimed with a big smile, as she ran up to me.

I smiled even more, while taking a good look at her; Chizuru-chan sure looked different – way different. First of all, she wasn't dressed up like a man; she was wearing a springtime kimono, green with golden designs, and her hair wasn't up in a ponytail, but pulled up along with her bangs. Her new look made her look prettier, but that wasn't a surprise to me – especially after I saw her in a true geisha's outfit. After all, Chizuru-chan has always been a cute girl.

Kimigiku was a few meters away; I saw her keeping a close eye on me and everyone around, making sure the area was safe. I was glad to see Chizuru-chan, and even though it took me plenty of time to find her, I could honesty admit that I was even more curious now. After my unexpected meeting with Kazama, and our conversation a few weeks ago, he sure left me with a ton of question marks dancing all over inside my head. It was impossible to accept that he simply gave up on Chizuru-chan so fast and easily.

I wasn't a fool; I knew that Kazama, no matter how annoying and arrogant he was, is also a man of honor, and he had always kept formalities and ancient traditions in high regard. Not to mention that his royal blood was something he was very proud of, and he wouldn't try to cheat me with poor lies. I believed him when he said that he had no business with humans anymore and that he won't try to make Chizuru-chan his wife ever again. Yet he left without a single explanation for those actions and decisions, and something was telling me that he won't say anything more about his intentions. So, I knew I had to find Chizuru-chan herself, so she could shed some light on Kazama's strange behavior.

I took Chizuru-chan to the nearby store to treat her some dango and catch up for a bit. The fact that I was curious about Kazama's actions didn't mean that I wasn't happy to see my old friend and I wanted to know about how her life has been since the last time we met.

"It's been so long since the last time I saw you," Chizuru-chan smiled, taking my hands into hers – they were so warm. "I missed you."

"Same here, and… look at you, Chizuru-chan, well what a huge change in those years we haven't seen each other."

She looked down and blushed a bit. "Aw, that… It's so strange to wear female clothes, after all those years I was dressing like a man."

"You look cuter now," I complimented her and I placed a hand above my lips to hide my giggles.

"OSen-chan… you shouldn't… I mean…" Chizuru-chan muttered blushing more, "Thank you but honestly now, I think I look strange and my face looks so childish and…"

I placed a hand above hers, offering her a consoling smile. "Don't worry about that, Chizuru-chan. You're a very cute girl and your outfit fits you more than you think."

My friend sighed. I made a soft chuckle and, taking a dango I started eating.

"Thank you, OSen-chan," Chizuru-chan smiled sheepishly, following my actions. "But tell me, what brings you to Edo?"

I took a moment to swallow the sweet treat and pour some sake in my cup. When I offered to fill her cup too, she refused politely.

"Actually I was looking for you, Chizuru-chan," I replied, after a sip.

"Me?"

I nodded. "I knew you weren't at Kyoto and that you left a long time ago, so the first place I thought I could search for you was Edo – your hometown. I was lucky to find you here so fast, but you know demons have some extra abilities when it comes to tracking someone like us," I finished with a wink.

"You're right," Chizuru-chan agreed with me, "but I don't think I've developed that ability to a high level."

"The power is sleeping in you, waiting for you to awaken it," I said, causing her to look at me with both surprise and confusion. "You're a demon, just like I am, and you're also from the main family, your blood is royal, and therefore you share the same abilities as I do. However, you spent your life not knowing the truth and you never actually put your powers into action," I explained.

After taking some time for my words to set in, my friend nodded with an honest smile. "I'm glad you're here OSen-chan."

I returned the smile taking another dango. "So how have you been all this time?"

"Things weren't easy, but everything is fine now."

"I know you faced war, and that must have been very hard, but I heard several rumors about Shinsegumi."

A shadow passed over her eyes and something told me that the news she was about to tell me wasn't good at all. However, it wasn't that I didn't believe the rumors, or at least most of them.

"War is always something bad. So many lives wasted at the end."

"Chizuru-chan?" I called, and she lifted her head to look at me, "I heard that most of your friends…" my voice faded but I didn't have to say it out loud for her to understand what I was about to say.

"It's unfortunate and really sad, such strong and honorable men. None of them deserved to die so fast."

"So the rumors were all true," I concluded, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry for your friends, Chizuru-chan, I'm sure that all of them deserved a better life, but they died as true warriors."

My friend nodded however there was a light of hope shinning in her eyes. "I know that the chances are against us, but no one officially affirmed Saito-san's death. It is possible for him to still be alive, and I want to keep hoping that one day I will see him again. Hijikata-san believes that he died on the battlefield, but I think he wants to believe that he is alive more than I do…"

"What?!" I exclaimed soon after her words set in, not being able to hold myself back.

Chizuru-chan looked at me confused, "What?"

"Hijikata-san?" I repeated and I needed no further explanation, since her blushing was all the answer I needed. I smiled taking her hands into mine. "So, he was the man you liked, Chizuru-chan."

"Umm… I mean…"

"Aw, don't be so shy, that's wonderful news, and really, I can understand why you liked him in the first place. But I thought he was shot, and I assumed that he passed away, but you just told me that he is alive and… Aw! Don't tell me! He is returning your feelings? You two are together now?"

"O-OSen-chan… h-he…"

Her awkwardness was indeed adorable, but as soon as I realized about the Shinsegumi's leader and Chizuru-chan, another thought and realization hit me at full force. My eyes opened wide and I covered my lips with my hand.

"OSen-chan, are you feeling alright?"

I heard Chizuru-chan's voice like it was far away, forcing me back to reality. I tried to smile. "Yes… but, can I ask you something?"

"Y-yes…"

"Chizuru-chan," I started, trying to find a way to express myself. It was the reason why I came to Edo all the way from Kyoto, and the reason why I decided to search for her in the first place. "Maybe it will sound strange, but now that you and Hijikata are together, how are things with Kazama Chikage? I know about his reasons and intentions toward you, but he told me that he will never go after you ever again, or try to convince you to become his wife. I know he is a man of his word and he wouldn't lie about something so important, but the truth is that this was the main reason why I was looking for you, Chizuru-chan," I confessed to her.

However, Chizuru-chan surprised me; she placed her hand on mine. "OSen-chan, thank you so much for worrying about me, but everything is fine now; Kazama-san gave up on me."

I felt my breath hitch in my throat.

"Hijikata-san and Kazama-san fought each other. It wasn't just about me, it was a matter of honor and they both wanted to have this fight. I was afraid of the worst and I couldn't bear losing Hijikata-san, as he was injured. During the fight Kazama-san acknowledged Hijikata-san as a true demon and gave him the name of Hakuouki. The battle ended with Kazama-san's sword flying away from his hand. Then he decided to go and leave me behind, with the man who loved me and proved he can protect me."

I gasped and stared Chizuru-chan, absolutely astonished. That was something I never thought about and I wasn't sure about the turn things took, but my friend's honest and pure smile made me feel calmer and I relaxed a bit.

"That was... unexpected of him," I muttered.

Chizuru-chan nodded. "Kazama-san isn't a bad person. He treated me very well and it was him who took me to Hijikata-san, and even saved my life when I tripped and fell off a hill. He had many chances to take advantage of me, but he didn't. So you don't have worry about me anymore."

"Chizuru-chan, you never thought of accepting his proposal?" I asked suddenly, without thinking about it first.

"No," the answer came faster than a bullet and caught me unprepared. "I mean, sure Kazama-san is a nice man, strong and honorable and I admit that he is indeed handsome and loyal, but I could never run away with him while my heart belongs to another man."

I fixated my eyes on hers and forced myself to smile. "I'm glad life is treating you well, really. So, now that Kazama is no longer a problem and you and your man are together; what do you plan to do next?"

"Hijikata-san and I decided to move to the countryside, and away from everything that reminds us of the old days. There we will start a new life together. And I admit that I can't wait to finish taking care of everything so we can leave as soon as possible."

"That's really wonderful news, Chizuru-chan, you deserve a happy ending with the man you love."

"OSen-chan, my life couldn't be better. Going back and thinking about all the days of war and destruction, it's just so great that I can finally relax. Not to mention that not even in my craziest dreams did I think that someone like Hijikata-san could ever fall in love with me. Now I think I live in a dream, and if I do, then I don't want to wake up. From now on all I can see is his face when he is smiling at me, surrounded by cherry tree's blossoms flowing on the four winds."

I took another sip of sake and chuckled over my friend's erotic delirium. "Aww, Chizuru-chan, you sure are so in love. And if, as you say, he loves you all the same, then I have no doubts that your life will be great."

"Yes," Chizuru-chan nodded, excited. "And who knows, maybe I will become a mother soon and-" she cut her sentence the same moment I rose my eyebrows surprised. She blushed so hard that her face looked like a tomato and hurried to lower her head. "I-I'm so sorry… I got carried away."

I smiled; Chizuru-chan had no reason to be embarrassed about it. "You know, I think your kids will have your beauty and his spirit; the perfect combination."

"OSen-chan…"

"Or who knows," I continued with a finger on my chin, "Maybe his strength and your royalty, or again, his loyalty and your gentleness. I know for sure that your kids will be very pretty."

Chizuru-chan relaxed taking the last dango. "Have you ever thought to start your own family and have kids?" she innocently asked me.

I froze, and even though I knew she had the best intentions, she found me unprepared, and her question nearly made my heart skip a beat. I stared at her, without saying anything, as her words were still spinning in my head.

"You haven't, have you?" Chizuru-chan said, watching at me, "You're still too young to think about getting married and starting you own family. But I wish that one day you'll find someone to love and to be loved in return and then I have no doubts that your kids will be even prettier than mine."

"Chizuru-chan…" I muttered, being in a total loss of words. "Thank you…" I managed to say, and smiled back at her warm and honest smile, before I stood up.

"You're leaving?" Chizuru-chan asked with a hint of sadness.

"I won't be far away," I smiled, taking her hands in mine. "It was a pleasure seeing you and let's meet again in the future."

She stood up too. "Thank you so much, OSen-chan, for everything."

"It's nothing, and I wish you the next time we meet, for you to be a mother to a wonderful son or daughter."

A light pink covered Chizuru-chan's cheeks this time and I waved my hand as I took my leave. Deep inside of me I perfectly knew that she would be fine and she would also continue to sink deeper into her wonderful dream which was filled with happiness.

I saw Kimigiku following me and I allowed myself to peer over my shoulder as Chizuru-chan was walking in the opposite direction. Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought I saw some cherry blossoms flowing in the winds, following her.

"Hijikata Toshizοu, please take a good care of her," I muttered, as my feet led me away.

I want to give special thanks to all my betas.

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